Annularly closable band and use thereof

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an annularly closable band for encircling one or more articles, having an inner side, which is intended to face the article or articles to be encircled, an outer side located opposite the inner side, and two end regions ( 4, 5 ), which are made to overlap one another in order to close the band, wherein the end regions have corresponding closing elements, which are designed to be brought into engagement with one another such that the band has a substantially smooth outer circumferential surface in the closed state. The invention also relates to the use of a corresponding band as a protective cover for a component of a dispensing device, preferably as a protective cover for a breakaway coupling of a dispensing nozzle.

The invention relates to an annularly closable band for encircling one or more articles according to the preamble of claim 1 and to the use of a corresponding band as a protective cover for a component of a dispensing device.

Annularly closable bands for encircling articles are known from prior public use. Cable ties, which are used to encircle and optionally hold together a plurality of cables, may be mentioned by way of example. A cable tie generally consists of a band having a closure head at one end and a plurality of latching elements distributed along the band. In order to close the cable tie, one end of the band is guided through the closure head and the closure head is latched with the latching elements. A disadvantage of such cable ties is that the closure head, which is intended to receive one end of the band, is comparatively voluminous. Even if the projecting end of the band is cut off after latching, at least the closure head projects outward. This impairs handling, since the cable tie can catch on other articles by way of the projecting housing. This may possibly result in the cable tie being stripped or torn off the encircled articles again.

The invention is based on the object of providing an annularly closable band of the type mentioned at the beginning, which is distinguished by good handling.

This object is achieved by a band having the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

First of all, a number of terms used in the context of the invention will be explained.

A band according to the invention is annularly closable, that is to say it is transferable from an open state to a closed state and has an annular geometry in the closed state. The annular shape may be preferably a circular shape. However, other annular geometries, for example an ellipse, are likewise within the scope of the invention. A band according to the invention is used to encircle one or more articles. It has an inner side, which is designed to face the article or articles to be encircled. The inner side is thus the side that is directed radially toward the inside (with respect to the annular geometry) in the closed state of the band. Located opposite the inner side is the outer side of the band, which is directed radially toward the outside in the closed state.

A band according to the invention comprises two end regions, which can be made to overlap one another in order to close the band. The end regions have corresponding closing elements, which are designed to be brought into engagement with one another such that the band has a substantially smooth outer circumferential surface in the closed state.

The invention has recognized that corresponding closing elements, which are designed to be brought into engagement with one another such that the band has a substantially smooth outer circumferential surface in the closed state, result in improved handling of the band. In the context of the invention, a substantially smooth outer circumferential surface means an outer circumferential surface which is substantially free of projections, steps and similar structural elements, which can result in the closed band catching on other articles. The band according to the invention can have gaps in the outer circumferential surface in the closed state, for example in the region in which the closing elements engage in one another. However, the indentations of the gaps do not provide or only provide a very small contact surface, which does not generally result in the closed band catching on other articles.

The dimensions of the closing elements may be coordinated with one another, in order that the band has a substantially smooth outer circumferential surface in the closed state. Preferably, the closing elements can be brought into engagement with one another in a form-fitting manner.

Advantageously, the closing elements are designed to prevent a relative movement of the end regions in the circumferential direction and axial direction when the closing elements are in engagement with one another. The expression “relative movement” denotes a movement of one end region relative to the other end region. In the context of the invention, the expressions “circumferential direction” and “axial direction” relate to the closed state of the band, wherein the expression “axial direction” denotes the direction parallel to the outer circumferential surface of the band and transverse to the circumferential direction.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the direction in which the closing elements can be brought into engagement with one another differs from the main direction of loading of the end regions. This has the effect that the article or articles encircled can be held together better. The expression “main direction of loading of the end regions” denotes the direction of the net load that acts on the end regions during normal use in the closed state of the band. The net load results from the sum of all the forces that act on the end regions during normal use of the band in the closed state, wherein the gravitational force remains disregarded. The main direction of loading can differ for the two end regions. The direction in which the closing elements can be brought into engagement with one another then preferably differs from the main direction of loading of each of the two end regions.

Preferably, the direction in which the closing elements can be brought into engagement with one another differs from the circumferential direction. In the context of the invention, it is particularly preferred for the closing elements to be able to be brought into engagement with one another in the radial direction. The expression “radial direction” relates to the closed state of the band in the context of the invention.

Advantageously, the band according to the invention can be closed and opened again easily. Such a band is easily exchangeable and can be reused. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the force required to close the band is less than the force required to open the band.

Advantageously, at least one of the closing elements comprises at least one latching element, wherein the latching element is arranged preferably on the inner side of the band.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the closing elements each comprise a plurality of protrusions and cutouts which extend in the axial direction and are spaced apart from one another, said protrusions and cutouts being formed such that the protrusions of one closing element can be brought into engagement with the cutouts of the other closing element. The cutouts and protrusions may be coordinated with one another in terms of their dimensions such that the band has a substantially smooth outer circumferential surface in the closed state. Advantageously, the protrusions are arranged on the outer side of one end region and on the inner side of the other end region.

Advantageously, at least one end region of the band comprises at least two closing elements that are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction, it being possible for each of said closing elements to be brought into engagement with a corresponding closing element of the other end region in order to close the band, such that optionally at least two closed states with different inner radii of the band can be obtained. In this embodiment of the invention, different closed states of the band with different inner radii can be obtained. This makes it possible to enclose in a form-fitting manner different articles with different outer radii adapted to the respective inner radii of the band. Between the at least two closing elements that are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction, at least one predetermined breaking point may be provided, which makes it possible to break off the projecting part of the end region such that a substantially smooth outer circumferential surface is obtained.

A band according to the invention may have an anti-twist means. Preferably, the anti-twist means is arranged such that, in the closed state of the band, it is spaced apart from the end regions of the band at least by 90°. Particularly preferably, the anti-twist means is arranged such that it is located substantially opposite the end regions in the closed state of the band. An advantageous anti-twist means has at least one, preferably two, protrusions arranged on the inner side of the band, it being possible for said protrusions to interact with structural elements of the article to be encircled, in order to prevent twisting of the band. The structural elements may be for example cutouts. It is likewise possible for the anti-twist means to have one, preferably two, cutouts arranged on the inner side of the band, it being possible for said cutouts to interact with structural elements of the article to be encircled, in order to prevent twisting of the band. In this case, the structural elements of the article to be enclosed may comprise protrusions.

Advantageously, the band is produced from an elastic material. A preferred material is plastics material.

Provision can be made for the extent of the band in the axial direction to be greater than the inside diameter of the band in the closed state. Alternatively, the extent of the band in the axial direction can also be smaller than the inside diameter of the band in the closed state.

The invention has furthermore recognized that a band according to the invention can be used as a protective cover for a component of a dispensing device. Preferably, the component may be a breakaway coupling of a dispensing nozzle. Such breakaway couplings are generally protected by plastics sleeves, which are basically tubular workpieces which are fitted over the breakaway coupling. The sleeves may be color-coded, for example in order in this way to identify the fuel to be dispensed by the dispensing nozzle. If such a sleeve has to be exchanged, for example because it is damaged or because a differently colored sleeve is intended to be installed, first of all the connection between the dispensing nozzle and the hose has to be severed, in order that the sleeve can be stripped off. On account of the associated introduction of air into the dispensing system, such a procedure generally entails renewed calibration of the dispensing device. This is complicated and costly.

The invention has recognized that a band according to the invention can be used as a protective cover for a corresponding breakaway coupling. The band can be exchanged comparatively easily without the connection between the dispensing nozzle and the hose having to be severed. Consequently, renewed calibration is not necessary. The band according to the invention thus acts as an exchangeable sleeve.

In principle, all of the embodiments already described above of the band according to the invention can be used as a protective cover. Reference is expressly made to the above statements in the context of the use.

In the context of the use according to the invention, particular preference is given to an embodiment of the band in which the closing elements each comprise a plurality of protrusions and cutouts which extend in the axial direction and are spaced apart from one another, said protrusions and cutouts being formed such that the protrusions of one closing element can be brought into engagement with the cutouts of the other closing element. The cutouts and protrusions may be coordinated with one another in terms of their dimensions such that the band has a substantially smooth outer circumferential surface in the closed state. Advantageously, the protrusions are arranged on the outer side of one end region and on the inner side of the other end region. Provision may be made for the extent of the band in the axial direction to be greater than the inside diameter of the band in the closed state. Advantageously, the band is made of an elastic material, preferably of plastics material. The band used according to the invention may have color coding. Preferably, the dimensions of the band are coordinated with the dimensions of the component of the dispensing nozzle. Particularly preferably, the band used according to the invention is dimensioned such that it encircles the component in a form-fitting manner in the closed state. A preferred component in the context of the invention is a breakaway coupling of a dispensing nozzle.

Alternatively, the invention also makes it possible to fasten a sleeve, which consists of a plurality of elements that can be joined together, or a corresponding protective cover to a component of a dispensing device by means of one or more bands according to the invention. The sleeve may consist for example of two half shells which are held together by two bands according to the invention and are fastened to a component of a dispensing device, for example a breakaway coupling, by means of these bands. Such a sleeve can likewise be exchanged easily, in that the bands are opened and the two half shells of the sleeve are removed. Severing of the connection between the dispensing nozzle and the hose does not have to take place for this purpose. The necessity of recalibration of the dispensing device is dispensed with. The use of one or more bands according to the invention for fastening a sleeve, which consists of a plurality of elements that can be joined together, to a component of a dispensing device is thus likewise within the scope of the invention. A preferred component is a breakaway coupling of a dispensing nozzle. In principle, all of the embodiments already described above of the band according to the invention can be used for fastening the sleeve. Reference is expressly made to the above statements in the context of the use.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described by way of example in the following text with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1: shows a first embodiment of a band according to the invention having an anti-twist means.

FIG. 2: shows a second embodiment of a band according to the invention in three views, specifically a cross section (a), an oblique plan view of the band in the open state (b), and a plan view in the closed state (c).

FIG. 1 shows an annularly closable band (1) for encircling one or more articles, having an inner side (2), which is intended to face the article or articles to be encircled and is directed radially toward the inside. The outer side (3) is located opposite the inner side (2). The band (1) has two end regions (4, 5), which can be made to overlap one another in order to close the band. End region (4) has closing elements (7, 8), which are designed to be brought into engagement with the corresponding closing element (9) of the end region (5) such that the band has a substantially smooth outer circumferential surface in the closed state. The closing elements (7, 8, 9) are designed to prevent a relative movement of the end regions (4, 5) in the circumferential direction and axial direction when the closing elements (7, 8, 9) are in engagement with one another. The dimensions of the closing elements (7, 8) are coordinated with the dimensions of the closing element (9), with which they can be brought into engagement in a form-fitting manner. The closing elements (7, 8) are designed as latching elements on the inner side (2) of the band (1) and can be brought into engagement in the radial direction with the closing element (9) such that the closing elements (7, 8) each latch with the closing element (9). The two closing elements (7) and (8) are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction and can be brought into engagement with the corresponding closing element (9) such that optionally two closed states of the band, which each have different inner radii, can be obtained. Between the closing elements (7) and (8), a predetermined breaking point (13) is provided, which makes it possible to break off a part of the end region (4) such that a substantially smooth outer circumferential surface is obtained for the second closed state with a smaller inner radius.

The band in FIG. 1 has an anti-twist means (10), which comprises two protrusions (11, 12) which are arranged on the inner side (2) of the band (1) and are spaced apart from the end regions by more than 90° in the closed state of the band.

FIG. 2 shows an annularly closable band (1) for encircling one or more articles, having an inner side (2), which is intended to face the article or articles to be encircled and is directed radially toward the inside. The outer side (3) is located opposite the inner side (2). The band (1) has two end regions (4, 5), which can be made to overlap one another in order to close the band. End region (4) has corresponding closing elements (7, 8, 9), which are designed to be brought into engagement with one another such that the band has a substantially smooth outer circumferential surface in the closed state.

As is shown in particular in the plan view of the band in the open state in FIG. 2 (b), the closing elements (7, 8) each comprise a plurality of protrusions (6 a) and cutouts (6 b) which extend in the axial direction and are formed such that the protrusions of one closing element can be brought into engagement with the cutouts of the other closing element. The protrusions and cutouts are coordinated with one another in terms of their dimensions such that the band has a substantially smooth outer circumferential surface in the closed state.

FIG. 2 (c) shows the band in the closed state. Although the band has gaps in the outer circumferential surface in the region in which the closing elements engage in one another, the outer circumferential surface is substantially smooth. It has no protrusions, steps and similar structural elements which may result in the closed band catching on other articles.

The band shown in FIG. 2 is produced from an elastic plastics material and dimensioned such that it can encircle a conventional breakaway coupling of a fuel dispensing nozzle in a form-fitting manner in the closed state.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention that is not illustrated in the drawing provides for a protective cover for a component of a dispensing device, said protective cover consisting of two elements that can be joined together (for example a plastics sleeve composed of two half shells), to be fastened to the component by means of two bands according to the invention. In this case, the bands are basically formed in the manner shown in FIG. 1, although an anti-twist means is dispensed with. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the bands have an anti-twist means, as shown in FIG. 1, and at least one element of the protective cover comprises structural elements which can interact with the anti-twist means in order to prevent twisting of the bands. 

1. An annularly closable band (1) for encircling one or more articles, having a) an inner side (2), which is intended to face an article or articles to be encircled, b) an outer side (3) located opposite the inner side (2), and c) two end regions (4, 5), which are made to overlap one another in order to close the band, wherein the end regions (4, 5) have corresponding closing elements (7, 8, 9), which are designed to be brought into engagement with one another when the band (1) is in a closed state, such that the band (1) has a substantially smooth outer circumferential surface in the closed state.
 2. The band of claim 1, wherein the dimensions of the closing elements (7, 8, 9) are coordinated with one another.
 3. The band of claim 1, wherein the closing elements (7, 8, 9) can be brought into engagement with one another in a form-fitting manner.
 4. The band of claim 1, wherein the closing elements (7, 8, 9) are designed to prevent a relative movement of the end regions (4, 5) in a circumferential direction and an axial direction when the closing elements (7, 8, 9) are in engagement with one another.
 5. The band of claim 1, wherein the direction in which the closing elements (7, 8, 9) can be brought into engagement with one another differs from the main direction of loading of the end regions (4, 5).
 6. The band of claim 1, wherein the direction in which the closing elements (7, 8, 9) can be brought into engagement with one another differs from the circumferential direction.
 7. The band of claim 6, wherein the closing elements (7, 8, 9) can be brought into engagement with one another in a radial direction.
 8. The band of claim 1, having a force required to close the band and a force required to open the band, wherein the force required to close the band is less than the force required to open the band.
 9. The band of claim 1, wherein at least one of the closing elements (7, 8, 9) comprises at least one latching element, which is arranged preferably on the inner side (2) of the band.
 10. The band of claim 1, wherein the closing elements (7, 8, 9) each comprise a plurality of protrusions (6 a) and cutouts (6 b) which extend in the axial direction and are spaced apart from one another, said protrusions (6 a) and cutouts (6 b) being formed such that the protrusions of one closing element can be brought into engagement with the cutouts of the other closing element.
 11. The band of claim 10, wherein the cutouts and protrusions are coordinated with one another in terms of their dimensions such that the band (1) has a substantially smooth outer circumferential surface in the closed state.
 12. The band of claim 10, wherein the protrusions are arranged on the outer side of one end region and on the inner side of the other end region.
 13. The band of claim 1, wherein at least one end region comprises at least two closing elements (7, 8) that are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction, it being possible for each of said closing elements (7, 8) to be brought into engagement with a corresponding closing element (9) of the other end region in order to close the band, such that optionally at least two closed states with different inner radii of the band (1) can be obtained.
 14. The band of claim 1, wherein it has an anti-twist means (10) arranged to interact with structural elements of the article to be encircled, in order to prevent twisting of the band (1).
 15. (canceled)
 16. The band of claim 9, wherein said at least one latching element is arranged on the inner side (2) of the band.
 17. The band of claim 14, wherein said anti-twist means (10) is arranged such that, in the closed state of the band, it is spaced apart from the end regions (4, 5) at least by 90°.
 18. The band of claim 14, wherein said anti-twist means (10) has at least one protrusion (11, 12) or cutout arranged on the inner side (2) of the band (1), it being possible for said at least one protrusion (11, 12) or cutout on the inner side (2) of band (1) to interact with structural elements of the article to be encircled, in order to prevent twisting of the band (1).
 19. The band of claim 18, wherein said anti-twist means (10) has at least two protrusions (11, 12) or cutouts arranged on the inner side (2) of the band (1).
 20. A method of providing a protective cover for a component of a dispensing device, comprising: i) applying a band according to claim 1 to a component of a dispensing device and ii) bringing corresponding closing elements of end regions (4,5) into engagement with one another such that the band (1) is in a closed state, wherein said band (1) in a closed state is a protective cover for said component of a dispending device.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein said component of a dispending device is a breakaway coupling of a dispensing nozzle. 